Something new for Cal’s Cats: A ‘quarterback battle’ to be UK’s starting point guard

Kentucky freshman guard Quade Green says he is very much aware of the point guard standard set at UK in recent years by the likes of John Wall, Tyler Ulis and De’Aaron Fox. “You know who was here before you,” he says, “so you’ve really got to put on a show just like they did - or better.” Charles Bertramcbertram@herald-leader.com

Kentucky freshman guard Quade Green says he is very much aware of the point guard standard set at UK in recent years by the likes of John Wall, Tyler Ulis and De’Aaron Fox. “You know who was here before you,” he says, “so you’ve really got to put on a show just like they did - or better.” Charles Bertramcbertram@herald-leader.com

Since the John Calipari era commenced in 2009, point guard at Kentucky has become to college basketball what tailback at Alabama is to college football:

The glamour position in the sport.

Yet, as one star after another — think Wall, Knight, Harrison, Ulis, Fox — have taken the Kentucky point-guard baton, one thing the Cats have not had under Cal is an old-fashioned “quarterback battle” to claim the starting job.

“Quade and Shai right now are competing,” Calipari said Thursday, before the annual throng of reporters (and others) gathered at Memorial Coliseum for UK men’s basketball media day. “It’s a great battle.”

Kentucky Coach John Calipari said freshmen point guards Quade Green and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are locked in a heated competition to become the UK starter. “It’s a great battle,” Calipari said.

Charles Bertram cbertram@herald-leader.com

What makes a competition between Green and Gilgeous-Alexander so tantalizing is the two offer a stark contrast in playing styles.

At 6-foot and 180 pounds, Green is a pass-first floor general.

“Quade is more of a vocal leader,” UK freshman swing man Kevin Knox said. “He loves to talk. He’s really good at facilitating the ball.”

Sophomore forward Tai Wynyard said Green “kind of runs our team. He’s kind of like the little pit bull who sits there ‘Alright, we’re in this now.’ He’s telling everybody to be in their spots, definitely a very good leader.”

UK basketball player Quade Green remarks about how structured his life became after becoming part of the UK basketball team.

By

As a senior at Neumann-Goretti High School in Philadelphia, Green averaged 20.8 points and eight assists and was chosen as a McDonald’s All-American.

“I’m a Philly guard,” Green says. “It’s in my blood.”

What does it mean to be a “Philly guard?”

“Tough. Tough. All we (are) is tough and not scared of anything,” Green said.

In contrast, Gilgeous-Alexander is a “scoring point guard” with what Calipari refers to as an “old man’s game.” The 6-6, 180-pounder with a 7-foot wingspan features a crafty array of flip shots and step-throughs that allow him to get off shots near the rim.

He’s also a defensive menace.

“Shai is more of a scoring-type point guard,” Knox said. “His defense is crazy, tipping balls.”

UK basketball coach John Calipari gives his response to NCAA president Mark Emmert’s statement about forming a Commission on College Basketball in response to recent federal investigations in college basketball.

By

A product of Hamilton, Ontario, Gilgeous-Alexander finished playing high school basketball at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tenn. He averaged 18.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists last season.

Passed over for the McDonald’s All-American Game, Gilgeous-Alexander lit up the Derby Classic in Louisville by going for 29 points, nine rebounds and six assists while winning team MVP honors.

“I think of myself as a point guard who can also play (shooting guard),” Gilgeous-Alexander said.

How does a sleek, 21st Century hooper come to develop “an old-man’s” approach to basketball?

Kentucky guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, No. 22, says “I’m not the most athletic guy so I’ve got to use angles and tricks and flip shots and stuff like that to produce.”

Charles Bertram cbertram@herald-leader.com

“A lot of point guards in today’s game use athleticism and speed and quickness as the keys to their game,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I’m not the most athletic guy, so I’ve got to use angles and tricks and flip shots and stuff like that to produce.”

To decisively gain the upper hand in UK’s point guard competition, Calipari said Green needs to work on playing faster.

“Play faster for him may be just give up the ball quicker,” Calipari said. “It’s not run (it) down your neck. If a guy is open, it’s (a) quick (pass). That’s playing fast. For him, that’s what we have to have him do.”

For Gilgeous-Alexander to emerge as UK’s lead guard, Calipari said he needs to learn to see more of the floor than what is immediately in front of him.

“That’s something with all freshmen, they’ve always played with the ball,” Calipari said. “Trying to get (Gilgeous-Alexander) to expand his vision is what we’re trying to do.”

UK basketball player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander talks about how he chose Kentucky over other college basketball teams, and about his hobby in drawing.

Read Next

One of the unusual aspects about basketball at Kentucky is that how the Wildcats fare in SEC games is not what sets the mood of the UK fan base. Instead, it is how the Cats fare versus fellow college hoops blue bloods Duke, Indiana, Kansas, Louisville, North Carolina and UCLA.